Best app to find charging stations?

KyloRen

Well-Known Member
Joined
Feb 1, 2022
Threads
23
Messages
110
Reaction score
55
Location
California
Vehicles
MME22 Cal Rt1 eAWD
Country flag
Preparing for our first EV, upgrading from a PHEV, my wife is quite anxious about charging. I am preparing to receive the new MME in next few weeks, and would like to get this forum's advise on the best app to have - for finding the charging stations (e.g. where they are, what type, which are free/ how much etc). Please let me know.
(I tried searching the forum, but the info is quite spread-out, and could not compile all together to decide the best app)
Sponsored

 

ChasingCoral

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Threads
502
Messages
14,306
Reaction score
28,653
Location
Maryland
Vehicles
2021 GB E4X FE, 2022 F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
Occupation
Retired oceanographer
Country flag
For Route planning: A Better Route Planner

For locations and user reports: Plug Share

For real-time information and navigation: Ford’s built-in navigation
 

Logal727

Well-Known Member
First Name
C
Joined
Aug 23, 2021
Threads
101
Messages
7,351
Reaction score
11,347
Location
Florida
Vehicles
‘21 Carbonized Gray Mustang Mach-E Premium AWD Ext
Country flag
The EA App is good to use too, but they've recently changed it to where you have to have an account to look at the status of charging stations, which means you have to add money to your account to use it
 

Jim_In_Mass

Well-Known Member
First Name
Jim
Joined
Dec 11, 2021
Threads
1
Messages
94
Reaction score
85
Location
Greater Boston
Vehicles
2021 Mach-E
Occupation
SW Engineer
Country flag
PlugShare is great for finding charging locations.
I haven't done a lot of traveling with my Mach-E yet, but I did hook up the EVgo app with Plug & Charge, and that worked well, and confirmed that I could use EA and the free kWh provided by Ford.
I also installed the Shell Recharge app - there was a location in Wareham MA which I might have used (found on PlugShare) for charging, but didn't have to test it out.
 


Glen Boise

Well-Known Member
First Name
Glen
Joined
Aug 1, 2021
Threads
23
Messages
314
Reaction score
299
Location
Kokomo, IN
Vehicles
Mustang Mach-E
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
You might add Chargeway, in addition to PlugShare. I have noticed that one may not have chargers listed on the other. Chargeway has a better way of showing charger types. They rank their speed by numbers. It is helpful when looking for a high speed DCFC which Plugshare lumps in with slower speed DCFC.
 

PA Bob

Well-Known Member
First Name
Robert
Joined
Aug 20, 2021
Threads
17
Messages
223
Reaction score
142
Location
PA
Vehicles
Premium RWD SB
Country flag
Preparing for our first EV, upgrading from a PHEV, my wife is quite anxious about charging. I am preparing to receive the new MME in next few weeks, and would like to get this forum's advise on the best app to have - for finding the charging stations (e.g. where they are, what type, which are free/ how much etc). Please let me know.
(I tried searching the forum, but the info is quite spread-out, and could not compile all together to decide the best app)
This tutorial for ABRP explains how to be tactical with your planning and what problems you may have. I apologize to the person who posted this. I tried to find the
Preparing for our first EV, upgrading from a PHEV, my wife is quite anxious about charging. I am preparing to receive the new MME in next few weeks, and would like to get this forum's advise on the best app to have - for finding the charging stations (e.g. where they are, what type, which are free/ how much etc). Please let me know.
(I tried searching the forum, but the info is quite spread-out, and could not compile all together to decide the best app)
Check this thread :
https://www.macheforum.com/site/thr...ning-with-abrp-abetterrouteplanner-com.12504/
 

Attachments

HuntingPudel

Well-Known Member
First Name
Steve
Joined
Mar 23, 2021
Threads
88
Messages
12,927
Reaction score
17,370
Location
Bay Area, CA
Vehicles
2024 MME GT with Performance Upgrade, 1979 Fire-Am, 1972 K/5 Blazer
Occupation
Engineering
Country flag
I use PlugShare and ChargeHub to locate chargers and check charger status. ??

I have only had to plan one long distance trip but I have also planned some shorter trips using A Better Route Planner (ABRP). ??

I use the built-in navigation system in my MME to actually route from Charger to charger. ??
 

RickMachE

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 1, 2021
Threads
267
Messages
17,897
Reaction score
27,849
Location
SE MI
Vehicles
2022 Mach-E Premium 4X, 2022 Lightning Lariat ER
Country flag
One problem (of many) with the built-in navigation is that it ignores stations that may be working but not connected to the network. Today was coming from upper Michigan to SE Michigan. I thought I could make it, but due to the higher speeds (75mph) the car was telling me I would miss by 2 or 3%, versus being 10%. So I knew there was an EA location. Car navigation only had ChargePoint locations. Checked PlugShare, location was fine. Turns out it was free, that's why Ford navigation ignored it.

Just one of many reasons that you can't rely on the Ford navigation, nor can you only use one app.

EA, ChargePoint, PlugShare, ABRP.
 

Shayne

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
3,824
Reaction score
2,738
Location
Northern Ontario Canada
Vehicles
2021 MME4x Prem
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
PlugShare for me and you should participate in check ins as it is the closest we have to real time status that I have found. Currently on the road and a critical one for me with no others for 100 miles either way is down first one now both based on check ins. I will make alternate charging plans. Thanks to PlugShare check ins. Better route plan does not show all the dcfc up here.
 

ChasingCoral

Well-Known Member
First Name
Mark
Joined
Feb 3, 2020
Threads
502
Messages
14,306
Reaction score
28,653
Location
Maryland
Vehicles
2021 GB E4X FE, 2022 F-150 Lightning Lariat ER
Occupation
Retired oceanographer
Country flag
Ford's nav sucks. Google is much better.
But Ford's will keep track of your remaining range, pick your charging stations, and provide realtime data on charger availability.
 

Shayne

Well-Known Member
Joined
Aug 9, 2020
Threads
18
Messages
3,824
Reaction score
2,738
Location
Northern Ontario Canada
Vehicles
2021 MME4x Prem
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
But Ford's will keep track of your remaining range, pick your charging stations, and provide realtime data on charger availability.
If I looked for chargers up here on Fords network I would not be able to leave home. I tried ford nav it works but google I have used on my phone since before CarPlay existed and it works also at a price point I like for the amount I use it.
 

kennethjk

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 3, 2021
Threads
30
Messages
3,331
Reaction score
2,124
Location
NY
Vehicles
MME Prem. EB 4WD, X3, IX50
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
I use many of what people have already mentioned.

today while using AA and their routine I looked to add a waypoint and the first option was chargers. Seemed pretty simple. I didn’t need a charge just want to check it out. Of course they don’t tell you what’s open or available speed of the chargers etc. but it Can be helpful without going thru multiple apps.
 

kennethjk

Well-Known Member
First Name
Ken
Joined
Sep 3, 2021
Threads
30
Messages
3,331
Reaction score
2,124
Location
NY
Vehicles
MME Prem. EB 4WD, X3, IX50
Occupation
Retired
Country flag
The EA App is good to use too, but they've recently changed it to where you have to have an account to look at the status of charging stations, which means you have to add money to your account to use it
Not sure what they have changed. charging status does show up and I have not added any money to my account.
Sponsored

 
 







Top